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PAWTUCKET - Hitting streak? How about a home run streak by Big Papi?

David Ortiz, for the second consecutive game, belted the baseball out of McCoy Stadium in his rehab assignment in igniting the Pawtucket Red Sox to a 6-1 victory over the Toledo MudHens.

Ortiz once again had the standing-room-only crowd (11,140) out of their seats, belting a three-run homer in the fifth inning - a day removed from hitting a solo homer in his second at-bat with the PawSox.

And after Ortiz drew a one-out walk in the seventh inning, a thunder and lightning storm overtook the field, forcing a 45-minute rain delay and eventually, termination of the game.

"I want to make sure everything goes well," said Ortiz of his swings at the plate,. "It (wrist) feels good, it feels normal, no pain," said the Red Sox slugger. "I'm going to take my time, I want to make sure of everything. Thank God that they called it, I don't like thunder and lightning." And once again, Ortiz' home-run bashing paved the way for a PawSox win, their ninth straight - a four-run fifth inning to create a five-run lead.

Ortiz, facing an infield shift (three Toledo infielders stationed to the right of second base), popped out to third base in the first inning, drew a leadoff walk in the fifth inning (scoring the go-ahead run for the PawSox), belted a homer to left field and drew a walk in the seventh inning - retiring for the night as the thunder and lightning storm struck Ben Mondor Way.

"Normally when I'm hitting, my game plan is to use the whole field," said Ortiz, who swung freely and smoothly during pre-game batting practice. "Obviously, I use that (practice hitting to all fields) in batting practice."

Ortiz' presence and bat once again overshadowed a strong PawSox pitching performance, this one by Devern Hansack, who allowed just two hits through seven innings, striking out a season-high eight batters. Moreover, Hansack retired the Toledo side in order in the first, fourth, sixth and seventh innings - not allowing a leadoff batter to reach base, allowing only a solo homer in the fifth inning to Mike Hollimon.

Ortiz, who owns the Red Sox single-season record for homers (54 in 2006) and has hit more (177) over the past four seasons than any other major leaguer, smacked a 1-and-1 pitcher from Toledo righthander Anastacio Martinez (the one-time PawSoxer, '03 and '04) over the left field wall.

"There's no rushing, I'm too old for that," quipped Ortiz of his comeback from a torn wrist sheath on May 31. "I used some ice, that's about it," said Ortiz of his post-game routine after Thursday's debut. He also wears a protective brace when not playing, "to avoid too much movement."

Ortiz scored the first PawSox run, drawing a leadoff walk in the fourth inning. After Chris Carter singled, the duo came across the plate on a two-run double to centerfield by recently called up (from Portland) Jeff Corsaletti.

Ortiz, a lefthanded hitter, relies on his left (injured) wrist for power. "Normally, you swing with your top hand. With your (back) hand, you give direction to the ball, you drive the ball."

In the fifth inning, both Gil Vasquez and Jeff Bailey drew walks (two of six by Martinez), the former scoring on an RBI-double into the right corner off the bat of Joe Thurston.

That set the stage for Big Papi bringing the McCoy crowd to its feat in jubilation once again. Moreover, Ortiz' presence in the clubhouse is one of a player, not a mega-star. "Guys have been coming up (from Pawtucket), Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon, all of them - that tells you how good the system is," said Ortiz.

"All of the guys who come up are gamers. Look a Pedroia. He acts like he's 6-5, 250 pounds. That tells you that they have the attitude you bring to the big ball club."

Foul Balls

The PawSox now have an IL-best 63 wins, a 34-16 record at home and have outscored foes 63-26 during the first four innings of their current 19-6 streak ... The PawSox have won 11 of their last 13 home games ... Ortiz plays game No. 3 as the PawSox play a 6:05 start against the MudHens with knuckle-ball throwing Charlie Zink (11-2) on the hill ... The PawSox have a free youth clinic today from 2-3:15 ... the PawSox are now 57-3 when leading after six innings ... Hansack has won three of his last seven outings (with three no decisions). During the past 45 innings, he has allowed just 10 earned runs, while striking out 47, having a 1.62 ERA. "That was his best outing of the year," said Manager Ron Johnson. "He was getting stronger, those are the outings that he's capable of having" ... Johnson applauded Toledo manager Larry Parrish for not intentionally walking Ortiz in the fifth inning, "that was classy" ... Carter had his 30th multiple hit game of the season ... Conjecture had it that Ortiz was done after his fourth at-bat, shortly after 9 p.m., in order to attend the Calvin Broadus/Snoop Dogg concert at the Comcast Center.